Welcome: Free online Web 2.0 tools

Create teaching resources using the free online tools listed here!
You may be prompted to download the latest Adobe Flash Player or the latest Java version to use some of these tools - they are both free.

The tools start from very simple ones and become more challenging. Each tool is very user friendly for teachers who are new to using ICTs in the classroom. We hope they will be of use to any classroom teacher, with particular interest for teacher librarians. The module has been created by the NSW DET School Libraries and Information Literacy Unit, Curriculum K-12.

Worksheets to support this module are available through ShareSpace.

Remember to check the web filter status of each tool Some are for teacher use only as a demonstration tool, most are for student use. To see an example of these tools in a classroom context, visit Miss Riley's Classroom.

21st century pedagogies 
This module builds on introductory information about using information and communication technologies in teaching at the rap zone. For a bigger picture about 21st century pedagogies, visit Web 2.0 tools for Professional Teaching Associations by Judy O'Connell, or LearningAU to see the workshop by Dean Groom and Judy O'Connell. In these online resources, you will find Judy O'Connell's Toolkit A-Z: a superb compilation from which the 16 tools featured on this blog have been drawn.

Individuals - Start by creating your blog OR join the rap zone wiki
Use a blog to save links to all the resources that you create. Set up a gmail account in google, then create your own blog at Blogger.com. Within your blog, create a post for each tool as this blog does, or make up your own post titles, as you find extra favourite Web 2.0 tools. You may prefer to share your resource links in the rap zone wiki instead - email elizabeth.chase@det.nsw.edu.au to receive an invitation to join the wiki.

Workshop trainers - Create your own wiki
You may wish to set up a wiki [See the example at Tool 16] so that all participants can create knowledge together as they trial the 16 Web 2.0 tools. Alternatively, your group may wish to post their URLs and discussion at the rap zone wiki. Please contact elizabeth.chase@det.nsw.edu.au if you wish to use this wiki.

Tool 16: Wikispaces

Create a wiki where all users can contribute knowledge and comments at Wikispaces.

To see a demonstration wiki visit the rap zone. This wiki shows comments from two or three people as they trialled the 16 Web 2.0 tools. Trainers who want to run workshops about the 16 tools may wish to set up a wiki using the same structure. 

Alternative option:

You may wish to create your own blog, using www.blogger.com, and share your blog link in the module wiki.

Tool 15: Yola

Create your own free website at Yola. This is a teacher tool.

Alternative option:
You may wish to create and share a digital story, using Photo Story 3, available from Microsoft online.

If you wish to share IWB resources that you create, email elizabeth.chase@det.nsw.edu.au about sharing at Sharespace

Tool 14: Voice Thread

Create an online conversation about an image at Voice Thread. You will receive 3 FREE Voice Threads, after that a one-time only upgrade allowing 10 gigs of storage will cost around $20.

Bear and chook make a surfboard

Voice Thread samples linked to the Jump into storyboarding Early Stage 1 / Stage 1 English resource created by the School Libraries and Information Literacy unit and AGQTP.

Character posters
Flower story
Pig's present
Pirate story
Story icons posters
Tree story

Tool 13: Gliffy

Create a technical drawing, flowchart or floor plan at Gliffy. You will receive a number of free gliffies to "try them and see."

Sample floor plan

Tool 12: Prezi

Create a multimedia presentation at Prezi. Press play repeatedly to see each prezi creation hint in the demo below. When you present your own prezi, save your presentation offline and move through it at your own desired pace. This removes any "sea sickness" from the zoom factor.

See a prezi demonstration
Pig and Bear
Science of the Renaissance
Travel and holidays
Web 2.0 in the classroom

Tool 11: Benettonplay

Create a flipbook at Benettonplay. This is a teacher tool.

Apple
Rolling stone
Cat snatch

Alternative option:

Create a Delicious account, to save, tag and share your favourite resources.

Tool 10: Glogster EDU

Create an interactive poster at Glogster. This is the educational section of the Glogster site. Teachers set up an account which allows for multiple student log ins - the work is not visible beyond the class group.

Animals
Travel

Tool 9: Classtools.net

Create free educational games at Classtools.net.

Label the parts of an insect

The reign of Henry V111

Tool 8: Storybird

Create a collaborative story with Storybird.

The cats and the lady who lived on the hill
The girl in red

Tool 7: Animoto

Create a slide screen presentation with still images, using Animoto. This is available for student use from Stage 5 upwards.

Family and friends

Tool 6: Power League

Create an online debate at Power League.

Important inventions league Hover over each image to learn about the invention - then vote.
Most famous people league

Tool 5: Pixton

Make a remix comic at Pixton. To do this, find an existing comic on Pixton that you love and wish to make a homage comic about, then choose the remix option. Pixton is developing animated comics - keep an eye out for them! This is a teacher tool.

Click on the title and scroll down to see the original by Brunswick

Tool 4: Bitstrips

Make a comic strip at Bitstrips. This is a teacher tool.

English: Storyboarding and representing

Click on sample to see original Bitstrip

Tool 3: KerPoof

Make a movie, story, card or drawing in KerPoof. 

Uses
Homework: Students work on their home computers
Teacher use: Create story starters to share

Tips
1.Play for a while and only tick Share with everyone to make your resources searchable when you have a final version!
2. There will be a delay in your resource being publicly posted on KerPoof. Resources will be reviewed for appropriateness by reviewers.
2. Meanwhile, find what you have saved in My creations

Samples
Little mermaid adventures by hannah 55000 Story
Panda vs Bunny by Tiffany Movie
Remake by Wilder (C284) Van Gogh homage artwork

Tool 2: Timetoast

Create an online timeline at Timetoast to discuss with students.
Post this timeline to your blog.

Sample Timetoast timeline
The politics of slavery

Tool 1: Wordle

Use Wordle to

Create word clouds for mind maps and posters
Analyse main ideas: Paste text in and discover key concepts

Save your wordle in the public gallery and send it to the blog at Blogger.com that you have created to store and share your resources. 

Sample wordle Click on it to see the original, full-sized version